MSP / Video Studio: Creating a looping video for DVD Menu

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Tutorial: Creating a looping video for DVD Menu

Here is a subtle way of creating a looping video to be used as a backdrop for a DVD Menu.
The idea is to prevent any abrupt change when the video reaches the end and
then restarts at the beginning.

I will use Video Studio 9 in this tutorial but you can do the same with any video
editor such as Media Studio.

Step 1: Take a 21 second clip from your main video
Drag your video to the timeline and select ulti Trim Video?



Change the quick search interval to 21



Find a place in your main video you would like to form the start of the loop and
then press the start button



Now press the forward arrow on the quick search interval



Then press the End button



Now complete this part of the process with the OK button



You now have on the timeline a section of video exactly 21 seconds long.



Now split the audio from the video





Press the delete key to remove the audio but leaving the video in place.
Click the timeline somewhere in the middle of the video, (it does not matter where)
and then use the scissors cut the video into two parts.





Switch to Storyboard view then drag the right hand thumbnail over to the left.



Select Transition FX



Then drag the Cross fade Transition between the two clips



Set the transition length to 1 second



Select the Audio Tab



Then press the Home key



Now select the Auto Music tab



Choose something appropriate for your video and ensure the Auto Trim option is
selected then add to timeline.



Now check how it looks so far ?ensure that you have selected project and also Repeat.



Let it play a few times. You will notice that the fade is in the middle of the music
somewhere so you have formed a natural looking loop.

If you use this as a DVD Menu backdrop it will be too overwhelming instead it needs to
be in the background. To achieve this select color from the drop down list




now drag a colour clip to the start of the overlay track



Alter the duration of the color clip to 20



Right click the colour object and select fit to screen.



Select Mask and Chroma Key




Alter the Transparency to something like 40




Now play the video and if necessary adjust the level of transparency.
All that remains now is to render your completed video.

Steve Jones
18 February 2006.